Taking care of yourself in pregnancy is a no-brainer, but it is not always done taking into account the essential and beneficial microorganisms that make up the mother’s microbiota, and that not only influence her health, but also the health and development of the baby.
With the help of NutriBiótica experts, we explain exactly the role played by the intestinal, oral and vaginal microbiota during pregnancy , how they change in this period of life and why it is so important to take care of them to maintain their correct balance .
Gut microbiota: what it is and how it changes during pregnancy
As we read on the scientific website Gut Microbiota for health, the microbiota is “the set of microorganisms (all bacteria, archaea, eukaryotic cells and viruses) present in a defined environment”. As the microbiota varies according to its environment, the microbiota located in the intestinal tract is called the intestinal microbiota.
Although there is no consensus on what constitutes a healthy microbiota , researchers consider that it must have the following attributes:
- Species richness and diversity
- Ability to resist in situations that alter the flora (antibiotic treatments, unbalanced diets, diseases) and the ability to stabilize.
Digestive conditions, obesity, allergies, diseases such as diabetes, cancer or neurodegenerative diseases, can disrupt the balance and composition of the intestinal microbiota .
Pregnancy is a stage of life where the microbiota also undergoes modifications that are associated with changes in the profiles of the oral, skin and vaginal microbiota, among others. Studies show that these changes include an increase in the abundance of bifidobacteria , a type of microorganism that cannot grow in the presence of oxygen and is present in the intestine, but also in the mouth and in breast milk.
This increase in bifidobacteria occurs especially in the third trimester of pregnancy, due in large part to progesterone, the main hormone that intervenes in the gestation process and that directly modifies the microbiota.
The role of bifidobacteria during pregnancy
In addition to their general properties, bifidobacteria have a series of specific benefits for pregnant mothers :
- They have a beneficial effect on the metabolic health of the mother
- Improve insulin response
- They optimize the function of the immune system, since they interact with immune cells, regulating both the innate and adaptive responses
- Help control low-grade inflammation
- They protect from potential infections, not only in the gastrointestinal tract, but also vaginal and pulmonary
Oral and vaginal microbiota: how they change during pregnancy
But in addition to the microorganisms that we find in the intestine, there are also microbiota in other parts of the body, such as the mouth or vagina.
In the oral cavity, the microorganisms that are part of the oral ecosystem must be in balance to guarantee a correct physiological function and avoid the development of diseases. That is why when a woman becomes pregnant, one of the first check-ups she should go to is that of the dentist, since oral health is much more connected than it seems to the health of the mother and of the baby.
In fact, some of the most common oral diseases, such as periodontitis, in which there is an increase in certain pathogenic bacteria, are a risk factor that can lead to complications such as preterm delivery or the baby being born with a weight per below the usual.
For its part, the vaginal microbiota , called Flora del Döderlein, has its own composition and changes during pregnancy due to the action of estrogens. In this way, the vaginal microbiota during pregnancy changes from a more varied composition to a more homogeneous one in which lactobacilli predominate. These microorganisms increase especially in the second trimester, and will be transmitted to the baby during vaginal delivery.
How to take care of the microbiota during pregnancy
To take care of the microbiota during pregnancy, it is essential that the mother follow the following tips:
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Maintain a balanced diet, including foods rich in fiber, vegetable protein and omega-3 fatty acids, as they have been shown to have a positive effect on the baby’s microbiota and development. It is also important to avoid excessive sugar consumption and maintain proper hydration.
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Follow healthy lifestyle habits, practice physical exercise and avoid the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and medicines that are not necessary and are prescribed by the doctor.
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The pregnant woman should try to keep stress at bay , because among the many negative aspects that stress causes in the mother and in the development of the baby is the alteration of the intestinal microbiota. Rest is also essential for the mother’s physical and mental health.
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Maintain a correct and balanced intimate hygiene and also good oral hygiene. Likewise, to take care of the dermatological microbiota, the pregnant woman must protect herself from the sun and hydrate the skin with respectful hygiene products.
In some specific cases it might be advisable to resort to the use of probiotics, which are specific formulas made up of live microorganisms that could help balance the bacterial population and prevent the spread of disease-causing strains. But as with any other medicine (even those bought without a prescription) or supplement, its use during pregnancy should be recommended and controlled by the doctor .
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